Chapter 209 The Montgomery Family Agreed to Call Off the Engagement
Ryan had been laying low at a hotel for a few days, avoiding home. The gravity of the situation made him even more reluctant to return. Patrick would have blown a gasket.
Patrick still didn't know about the shares. Ryan had managed to keep the property department employees quiet with some coercion and bribes.
Ryan planned to meet Grace privately to get the shares back. If Patrick found out he transferred his shares to Grace, he'd be in deep trouble.
Ryan was about to head to the hospital to make Kelly get rid of the baby—no matter what, the baby couldn't stay. He'd seen Kelly's true colors and realized how terrifying she was. Marrying her was out of the question; he despised her.
Just as he stepped out of the car to go to the ward, a group of men in black stopped him. "Mr. Ryan Montgomery, your father wants you at the company."
Ryan's heart raced. "I'll go, but I have other things to handle. Tell my dad I'm not hiding."
"Mr. Patrick Montgomery wants you now."
Already in a foul mood, Ryan snapped, "Didn't you hear me?"
The men in black restrained him. "Sorry, Mr. Ryan Montgomery."
They practically dragged him to the company. The shareholders were still around, and as soon as they saw Ryan, they started bombarding him with questions.
"Ryan, did you transfer the shares?"
"Ryan, what's going on? Why didn't we know? You really messed up."
Panicking, Ryan asked, "How do you know?"
"Your dad's still in the conference room with that woman. He's furious. You should go in."
"What woman? Which woman?" Ryan didn't expect this to blow up so fast.
He rushed to the conference room and saw Patrick and Grace.
Patrick looked terrifyingly angry, even more so than before. Grace, on the other hand, was calm, sipping water like she wasn't scared at all.
"Dad," Ryan called out weakly, his voice shaking.
Patrick's eyes burned with intensity, making Ryan nervous. In a hushed voice, Ryan asked, "Dad, you know everything?"
"You bastard!" Patrick slapped him hard.
Ryan wasn't ready and stumbled, hitting his head on the glass door.
The shareholders watching were shocked. Knowing Patrick's temper, they kept their distance.
"Dad, I know I messed up. I really do." Ryan quickly dropped to his knees.
Patrick, still furious, kicked him hard. Any restraint he had before was gone.
As Ryan collapsed, he felt like his liver was about to burst. He knelt again, this time with utmost respect.
"Dad, don't be angry. It's bad for your health." Ryan clung to Patrick's leg.
Patrick was beyond angry. Grace had so much leverage now, and it was clear she came prepared. Ryan's engagement was likely unsalvageable today.
Patrick took a deep breath and, after kicking Ryan a few more times, finally spoke, "Is the stuff online true too?"
"I don't know, Dad. I haven't seen Kelly yet. But don't worry, I won't let this baby stay. I'll listen to you. I'll marry Grace, okay?"
Ryan was now willing to marry Grace. If he married her, even if she didn't return the shares, the money would still be in the Montgomery family.
"Ryan, I've told Mr. Patrick Montgomery that if the engagement is canceled, I'll return all your shares. Your personal life or profession isn't my concern. But if the Montgomery family goes through with the engagement, I'll donate the shares," Grace said firmly.
"I know you have ways to make someone disappear, but I'm not scared. I've finalized my will. If I don't leave here today, all my assets will be donated," she added resolutely.
If Grace didn't call off the engagement, she might as well be signing her own death warrant.
Grace wasn't leaving without resolving this. Even if the Montgomery family wanted to, they couldn't make her disappear quietly. Thanks to Kelly, she had a lot of online attention. Patrick wouldn't dare take drastic action.
If Grace died, Angela would make it public. Could the Montgomery family handle the pressure?
The Montgomery family was already a hot topic online, and Patrick couldn't control it. Millions of eyes were watching their every move. Calling off the engagement was the best option for Patrick. Or rather, Grace didn't give him a choice.
"Grace! You set me up, didn't you?" Ryan, still kneeling, might have lunged at Grace if he weren't on the ground.
Patrick lowered his hands, not even looking at Ryan.
The office was suffocatingly tense. After a long while, Patrick finally spoke, "Fine, I agree."
"Dad, what do you agree to?" Ryan was incredulous.
Patrick seemed to age in an instant. His sharp but now weary eyes reflected fatigue. "The Montgomery family has held onto this engagement for a long time. After your mother's passing and the issues with the Lewis family, I thought marrying into the Montgomery clan would give you a better life. You wouldn't have to worry about survival anymore."
Patrick was still pretending it was all for Grace's benefit.
"Now it seems I misjudged. Youngsters like you have your own views. Grace, I hope you won't regret your actions today," he added.
"I won't regret it," Grace said without hesitation. Calling off the engagement had always been her wish. She had struggled for so long, and now she was finally getting her wish.
"Alright, since neither of you is willing, the engagement between you and Ryan is over," Patrick declared.
Hearing this, Grace exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of liberation like never before. It was a moment of rebirth, a newfound freedom to embrace her true self.
Her once dim world, shrouded in gloom, was now bathed in clarity, with the sun's gentle rays piercing through the darkness.
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